81.   Nicklaus hit into a bunker on the first playoff hole and lost.

82.   News that the Sparks had clinched their first playoff berth when Minnesota lost on Saturday arrived late and was not known by all the players.

83.   On game day, with its team decimated by injuries and history solidly against it, New Orleans beat St. Louis to win its first playoff game.

84.   Of course, if the Diamondbacks clinch the division title before that game, they can save Schilling for the first playoff game two days later.

85.   Philadelphia is in the postseason for the first time in four years, and the Eagles will enjoy their first home playoff game in five.

86.   Piazza and Mondesi drove in one run each in the first playoffs of their career.

87.   Perhaps significantly, when the Denver Broncos routed Jacksonville in the first playoff round last season, Brunell rushed three times for just four yards.

88.   Perhaps Sprewell was too eager in his first playoff start, too pumped up by the introduction at the Garden.

89.   Remember all those airballs he launched in Utah in his first playoff elimination situations.

90.   Quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who had been flawless in his first playoff game last week against New England, was simply flawed Saturday.